Summer Preservation Series Announced
CAPE MAY – The Cape May City Council unanimously adopted the Historic Preservation Commission’s comprehensive update to the Cape May Historic Design Standards during their July 18 meeting. The updated Historic Design Standards will serve as a vital tool for safeguarding the architectural, cultural, and historical integrity of Cape May, a National Historic Landmark. The process of updating the Historic Design Standards involved extensive collaboration between the City Council, the Historic Preservation Commission, preservation experts, local stakeholders, and community members. The Historic Preservation Commission created a Subcommittee led by HPC member and longtime resident Pip Campbell. The City engaged Steven Smolyn, AIA of Architectural Heritage Consultants, LLC as a consultant to assemble and illustrate the Historic Design Standards, which were presented during public hearings before the Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Board, and City Council.
Key features of the updated Historic Design Standards include:
- Clarity: The updated Standards offer clear and concise guidelines, empowering property owners, architects, and business owners to understand the Historic Preservation Commission’s expectations upfront.
- Guiding Standards: The updated Standards reflect the current Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
- Sustainability and Resiliency: Recent ordinances addressing appropriate flood mitigation techniques and solar panels within the Historic District were incorporated.
- Additions and New Construction: Guidance on additions to historic buildings were expanded with diagrams outlining appropriate strategies.
- Illustrations and Photos: Over 300 diagrams, pictures, and historical images are featured across 100 full-color pages.
Mayor Zachary Mullock expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts that have shaped the updated Historic Design Standards, stating they are “more user-friendly and not only explain what the rule is but why. It allows the reader to understand and provides examples of beautiful historic architecture. We are proud to be the Nation’s only National Historic Landmark City. These Standards help the owner take ownership and pride in what they are doing: actually, helping maintain our National Historic Landmark status.”
Our Future Is In Our Past – Summer Preservation Series
Homeowners, architects, developers, and community members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the updated Historic Design Standards. A digital version of the Design Standards is available on the HPC’s website (www.capemaycity.com/historic-preservation-commission). Hardcopies will be available late this summer for reference at the Cape May City Library and purchase at City Hall. Informational brochures will be available at City Hall and local hardware and building supply stores.
The Historic Preservation Commission will be sponsoring a series of engaging educational events on the new Historic Design Standards later this summer. In addition to general information for homeowners, tailored seminars for real estate and design professionals as well as business leaders, will be held.
Please refer to the HPC’s website for details.
The Cape May Historic Design Standards project was supported by a grant from the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office, financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
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